Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/90

74 appeal to the reason of their fellow creatures and let him who has truth on his side prevail.' But although he did not join the Brahmo Samaj he was closely associated with many of its members, meeting them in daily intercourse, freely exchanging ideas with them and discussing with them every aspect of religious belief. His influence in Krishnagar was unbounded. Coming straight from the midst of the most advanced coterie in Calcutta he was welcomed by the little group of men who were struggling towards enlightenment in Krishnagar. He infused into them new life and new ideas. The influence that such men as David Hare, Derozio, and Ram Mohan Roy had exercised upon him, he imparted to others—his love of truth, his respect for freedom of thought and speech, and his intense desire for knowledge, which alone could lead men to the Truth. Always he advocated free and unrestrained discussion, believing that it was only by going to the root of a question and judging for oneself on a full presentment of the facts that true knowledge could be acquired. He himself was always eager to gain fresh knowledge, even from the youngest and humblest, and it was this enthusiasm combined with innate modesty and simplicity of heart that helped to win him the popularity which he possessed in such full measure.

One of the most controversial topics of the day was the question of the remarriage of Hindu widows. The earliest discussion with regard to it had appeared